Last Modified: Friday, March 27, 2009 at 10:03 p.m.

The motion was in response to objections raised by federal prosecutors earlier this week that the actor abused his court privilege allowing for work-related international trips.

The motion, filed Friday afternoon in U.S. District Court in the Ocala-based Middle District of Florida, is an attempt by Snipes' attorneys to salvage their client's standing with the federal judge - who is expected to rule in the days ahead on an additional request to allow the actor to make future forays to Namibia and later, London, for more filming.

In her motion, attorney Carmen Hernandez notes that Snipes - who was sentenced to three years for three misdemeanor convictions of willful tax evasion last year, but remains free pending appeal - has always dutifully reported to court when required in the past. But she concedes, "Mr. Snipes apologizes and deeply regrets any misunderstandings or failures on his part to abide by the letter or spirit of his release and of this Court's travel-related Orders."

Snipes, allowed to post bail in May, was granted permission by U.S. Senior District Judge William Terrell Hodges in July to travel to London and Bangkok last fall to shoot "Gallowwalker," a horror action flick.

But the paparazzi photographed the actor at an opening party for the $1.5 billion Atlantis Hotel in the United Arab Emirates in November.

Hernandez denies Snipes traveled to Dubai for "recreational purposes," but rather, to discuss production issues relating to "Gallowwalker" and two other film projects.

Snipes, she adds, attended the party at the "request and invitation" of the international financiers and Dubai government officials to discuss the financing of his films.

She also defended Snipes' need for frequent travel as something that comes with being a contracted actor.

"Reshooting of scenes is not a discretionary decision that rests in the hands of any artist, including Mr. Snipes. These decisions are made by the producers, director and motion picture companies. The artist's decision to commit to making a film gives rise to an obligation to comply - in this case, Mr. Snipes' agreement to appear in a leading role in Gallowwalker," the motion states.

Hernandez also ensures the court Snipes will comply with any court instructions during his future work-related travel - including returning to the U.S. after Namibia before continuing on to London, where filming on another film, "Game of Death," is expected to occur.

Snipes, 46, is currently appealing his federal tax-evasion criminal case to the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Atlanta.

<p>OCALA - In a seven-page motion, lawyers for Wesley Snipes on Friday defended their client's overseas travels late last year to a swank party in Dubai as purely business.</p><p>The motion was in response to objections raised by federal prosecutors earlier this week that the actor abused his court privilege allowing for work-related international trips.</p><p>The motion, filed Friday afternoon in U.S. District Court in the Ocala-based Middle District of Florida, is an attempt by Snipes' attorneys to salvage their client's standing with the federal judge - who is expected to rule in the days ahead on an additional request to allow the actor to make future forays to Namibia and later, London, for more filming.</p><p>In her motion, attorney Carmen Hernandez notes that Snipes - who was sentenced to three years for three misdemeanor convictions of willful tax evasion last year, but remains free pending appeal - has always dutifully reported to court when required in the past. But she concedes, "Mr. Snipes apologizes and deeply regrets any misunderstandings or failures on his part to abide by the letter or spirit of his release and of this Court's travel-related Orders."</p><p>Snipes, allowed to post bail in May, was granted permission by U.S. Senior District Judge William Terrell Hodges in July to travel to London and Bangkok last fall to shoot "Gallowwalker," a horror action flick.</p><p>But the paparazzi photographed the actor at an opening party for the $1.5 billion Atlantis Hotel in the United Arab Emirates in November.</p><p>Hernandez denies Snipes traveled to Dubai for "recreational purposes," but rather, to discuss production issues relating to "Gallowwalker" and two other film projects.</p><p>Snipes, she adds, attended the party at the "request and invitation" of the international financiers and Dubai government officials to discuss the financing of his films.</p><p>She also defended Snipes' need for frequent travel as something that comes with being a contracted actor.</p><p>"Reshooting of scenes is not a discretionary decision that rests in the hands of any artist, including Mr. Snipes. These decisions are made by the producers, director and motion picture companies. The artist's decision to commit to making a film gives rise to an obligation to comply - in this case, Mr. Snipes' agreement to appear in a leading role in Gallowwalker," the motion states.</p><p>Hernandez also ensures the court Snipes will comply with any court instructions during his future work-related travel - including returning to the U.S. after Namibia before continuing on to London, where filming on another film, "Game of Death," is expected to occur.</p><p>Snipes, 46, is currently appealing his federal tax-evasion criminal case to the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Atlanta.</p>